Nevada 87, Texas 83: Recap, analysis, reaction and more from the Longhorns' loss

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Texas forward Royce Hamm Jr. reacts after losing in overtime of a first-round game against Nevada in the NCAA college basketball tournament in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 16, 2018. Nevada won 87-83. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Texas blew a double-digit second-half lead on Friday, losing to Nevada in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Longhorns’ season is now over, ending their year 19-15 overall. Texas has still yet to notch a tourney win while led by head coach Shaka Smart.

After leading by as many as 14 in the second half, Texas fell apart down the stretch against Nevada, falling in overtime. And the Longhorns have now gone four seasons without an NCAA Tournament victory.

Texas reached the big dance for the second time in three seasons under Smart this year, rebounding after an abysmal 11-22 campaign in 2016-17. But after a buzzer-beater loss to Northern Iowa in the 2016 tourney and Friday’s overtime loss to Nevada, Texas will head to the offseason still searching for a tournament win in the Smart era. It will be a long offseason on the 40 Acres.

Final: Nevada 87, Texas 83. The Longhorns' season is over.

Should be a long offseason on the 40 Acres. Texas has not won a NCAA Tournament game since 2014. #HookEm

After defending Nevada effectively in the first 40 minutes, the Longhorns had no answer for the Wolf Pack in the extra period. Nevada shot 5-5 from the field in overtime, led by the Martin brothers, both juniors. Cody added four points, while his brother Caleb canned three triples to seal the contest.

Nevada scored on all 9 possessions in overtime (excluding running out the clock), including 6-of-6 from the field. pic.twitter.com/GxhIBqcz8T

The Wolf Pack caught fire with Mo Bamba on the bench, who fouled out with four seconds remaining. With no true shot-blocking presence inside, Nevada waltzed to the paint at will, and made Texas pay from the outside. Texas’ offense couldn’t keep up, despite scoring 15 points in overtime.

Guards add scoring punch

Kerwin Roach came out firing on Friday, tallying seven first half field-goal attempts. And he was effective, too, tallying 12 points in the opening 20 minutes and 26 overall.

The junior guard capitalized as the Wolf Pack dared him to shoot from deep, canning six triples on the afternoon. Friday marked Roach’s fifth game this year in which he scored 20-plus points.

And Roach wasn’t the only Texas guard to shine against Nevada. Freshman guard Matt Coleman didn’t look fazed by the bright lights of his first NCAA Tournament game, pouring in a career-high 25 points. He went on a critical 7-0 run for the Longhorns midway through the first half, and added five-straight points in overtime.

Texas had numerous chances to ice Friday’s contest late from the foul line, but the Longhorns’ inability to convert free throws proved costly. Dylan Osetkowski missed the front-end of a 1-and-1 with 2:17 remaining, and Kerwin Roach did the same with the Longhorns’ up 68-67 with 18 seconds remaining.

By game’s end, Texas shot 10-18 from the charity stripe. And the Longhorns’ free-throw struggles were no aberration, either. They entered the contest shooting just 67 percent from the foul line, good for No. 214 in the nation

Bamba patrols paint

After battling a left toe injury over the past two weeks, Texas’ freshman phenom was fully healthy against Nevada, providing a key boost to the Longhorns’ front line.

Bamba had foul trouble in the second half, picking up his fourth foul with six minutes remaining. But he was able to stay on the floor to the tune of 31 minutes, his highest output since Feb. 17. The Longhorns’ big man was productive in his time on the floor, adding 13 points and 15 rebounds. Friday’s performance marked Bamba’s 15th double-double on the season, in what may very well be his final game in burnt orange.